Carmustine : Before Using

Carmustine - Systemic

Brand Names

BiCNU, BCNU Carmustine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For carmustine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to carmustine.

Pregnancy care

There is a risk that this drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. Carmustine causes toxic or harmful effects in the fetus of rats and rabbits and causes birth defects in rats at doses about the same as the human dose. In addition, many cancer medication may cause sterility which could be permanent. Although this has only been reported in pets with this drug, the possibility must be kept in mind.

Be sure that you have discussed this with your family doctor before receiving this drug. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving carmustine. Tell your family doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while receiving carmustine.

Breast-feeding problem

Because carmustine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are receiving it.

Use for Children

Although there is no special info comparing use of carmustine in child with use in other age groups, this drug is not expected to cause various side effects or problems in child than it does in adults.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of carmustine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving carmustine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amphotericin B by injection - Fungizone
Antithyroid agents - drug for overactive thyroid
Azathioprine - Imuran
Chloramphenicol - Chloromycetin
Colchicine
Flucytosine - Ancobon
Ganciclovir - Cytovene
Interferon - Intron A, Roferon-A
Plicamycin - Mithramycin
Zidovudine - AZT, Retrovir
If you have ever been treated with radiation or cancer medication Carmustine may increase the side effects of medication or radiation therapy on the blood

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of carmustine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Chickenpox - including recent exposure
Herpes zoster - shingles chance of severe disease effecting other parts of the body

Infection Carmustine decreases your body's ability to fight infection

Kidney disease Effects of carmustine may be increased because of slower removal from the body

Liver disease Carmustine may cause side effects to the liver

Lung disease chance of lung problems causing by carmustine may be increased

Smoking Increased risk of lung problems.